An Introduction to Human Trafficking

An Introduction to Human Trafficking

Most of us are unaware that the second largest organised crime in the world is Human Trafficking. One of the features of Human Trafficking is its covertness; it is highly inconspicuous unless looked for. It happens wherever people exist: malls, churches, schools, and it favours no specific socio-economic class, country or race. It is everywhere, 54% of Human Trafficking cases involve strangers and the other 46% of cases involve someone the victim already knows.

Educating yourself and those around you is an important element for us to see Human Trafficking eradicated in our world today.

Human Trafficking is modern day slavery; trading in people with the intention of exploiting them. Exploitation could include using people for personal gain, for profits of large sums of money or for the use of free labour.

Mobilization: Any person who delivers, recruits, transports, transfers, harbours, sells, exchanges, leases or receives another person within or across the borders of the Republic.

Means: By means of threat of harm, threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, the abuse of vulnerability, fraud, deception, abduction, kidnapping, the abuse of power, direct or indirect giving or receiving of payments or benefits to obtain the consent of a person having control or authority over another person, the direct or indirect giving or receiving of payments, compensation, rewards, benefits or any other advantage aimed at either the person or an immediate family member of that person or any other person in close relationship to that person.

Exploitation: For the purpose of any form or manner of exploitation.All forms of slavery, similar practices, sexual exploitation, servitude, forced labour, child labour, removal of body parts, forced impregnation with a purpose of selling the child, forced marriage for exploitation and adoption for exploitation.

“Human Trafficking is not a crime that calls out “Here I am!” It will often not be seen if it is not looked for.” ~ A Tangled Web (MMA Report)

Types of Human Trafficking

1. Sexual Exploitation

Types of sexual exploitation:

Forced Prostitution

Pornography

Stripping

Exotic Dancing

Touch and Peep Shows

Escort Services

‘Training’ to deal with clients who have particular fetishes

Industry examples include:

Brothels

“Massage” Parlours

Fetish Clubs

Classified Ads

“Gentlemen’s Clubs”

2. Child Exploitation

Any work that is unsuitable for the child and that will have negative impact on their social, mental, physical or emotional development.

Industry examples include:

Make Up (Mica Mineral)

Clothing

Carpets and Textile

War (Child Soldiers)

Coco Harvesting

3. Forced Labour

Difficult, dirty or dangerous jobs.

Industry examples include:

Fishing

Mining

Agricultural

4. Domestic Servitude:

Forced to work long hours (12–16 hour days)

Not allowed to leave, or call home

Often not paid

Often includes other abuse too.

Industry examples:

Private Homes

Hospitality Industry

Au Pair Industry

5. Forced Marriages

Often much older men abducting or buying much younger girls.

Distortion of traditional cultural practices.

6. Organ and Body Part Trafficking

This is the forced removal and illegal sale of organs / body parts.

Industry examples:

Black Market

“Muthi”

Medical Field (those willing to pay very high sums to skip the ‘system’)

How does this happen?

The local context and specific situation will determine who is most at risk and how they will be exploited.

Traffickers can be:

Facilitators include:

Brothel & Strip Club Owners and Pimps

Transport Providers

Government Officials

Professional Individuals

Red Flags

The following Red Flags can be used to help identify potential Human Trafficking cases. If you have come across an incident that may have the following Red Flags it is important to report that to your local police station or to the HFW contact line.

No local dialects

New arrival in the country

Lack of documentation / documents controlled by someone else

Debt bondage

Child accompanied by an unrelated adult

Submissive / signs of fear / depression / extreme nervousness

Lack of freedom to move

Watched 24/7 or living with employer

Poor living conditions

Answers appear scripted or rehearsed

Give a vague / inconsistent explanation of where they live and work

Appears to move location frequently

Unpaid or paid very little

Stockholm Syndrome

Under 18 and in prostitution / providing commercial sex acts

Serious injuries left untreated & vague or reluctant to explain

Evidence of long term multiple injuries

Signs of physical abuse or general physical neglect

Branding tattoos

Indications of mental, physical or sexual trauma

Sexually transmitted infections

Pregnant / previous abortions

Drug addiction

Disordered eating or poor nutrition

Evidence of self-harm

Dental pain

Fatigue

Non-specific symptoms of PTSD

Symptoms of psychiatric and psychological distress

Back or stomach pain, skin problems, headaches and dizzy spells

What can you do?

Be a Voice

Awareness is a huge need in South Africa — the average South African doesn’t know that Human Trafficking is a problem in our country. Email admin@hopeforwomen.co.za for more details on our Anti-Human Trafficking Workshops.